Summary: Repentance From Dead Works
The 2nd sermon in a series of 7 on Christian maturity and how to get there.

Basic Christianity 101

Basic Christianity

#2 in a series of 7

#2 Repentance from dead works

Reverend David Doherty

First Baptist Church

Pie Town, NM

April 2007

Hebrews 6

1. Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teachings about Christ, let us continue to be carried along to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith toward God,

2. instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

3. And this we will do, if God permits.

Acts 17:30

"Truly these times of ignorance God has overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent."

Repentance from dead works means to realise that works without the faith, life and love of God in them are wrong, and to turn away from them from the heart. It involves renouncing all religious pride, all independence from God and all unclean or dishonest practises. It involves a change of heart and a change of lifestyle. It is done by putting total faith in Christ - who He is and what His Word tells us. Repentance happens as we yield to the conviction of the Spirit of God.

26. For if we choose to go on sinning after we have received the full knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

27. but only a terrifying prospect of judgment and a raging fire that will consume the enemies of God

28. Anyone who violates the law of Moses dies without mercy "on the testimony of two or three witnesses."

29. How much more severe a punishment do you think that person deserves who tramples on God’s Son, treats as common the blood of the covenant by which it was sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace?

30. For we know the one who said, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will pay them back," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."

31. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

32. But you must continue to remember those earlier days, how after you were enlightened you endured a hard and painful struggle.

33. At times you were made a public spectacle through insults and persecutions, while at other times you associated with people who were treated this way.

34. For you sympathized with the prisoners and cheerfully submitted to the violent seizure of your property, because you know that you have a better and more permanent possession.

Dead Works

Lusts of the Flesh

Galatians 5

19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

21. envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 1

28. And, according as they did not approve of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly; 29. having been filled with all unrighteousness, whoredom, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions; whisperers,

· The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, And the perverse mouth, do I hate.

· The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

· He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

· The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

· A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.

· In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence; And his children shall have a place of refuge.

· The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.

· Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

· The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor goeth humility.

· By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

· The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life; And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.

· The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah Is riches, and honor, and life.

· Let not thy heart envy sinners; But be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long:

Repentance is not merely feeling sorry that you sinned or did wrong. It is not an emotion. Emotion and sorrow for sin normally accompanies repentance, but it is possible to feel sorry, remorseful and even weep without truly repenting. Emagine a stop sign in the middle of a desert. No roads and no other direction other than STOP, DON’T GO ANY FURTHER! DANGER! If you keep on down that path it can lead to something unthinkable, or even to death. Turn from the direction you are going and do what God wants of you. Stop, and change your evil ways.

Armor of God

10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty strength.

11. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil’s strategies.

12. For our struggle is not against a human opponent, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us, against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.

13. For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand in that evil day. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm.

14. Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15. and having put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.

16. In addition to all of these, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one,

17. also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.